A day before the deadline came, Sechelt Golf & Country Club Ltd. (SG&CC) asked for two more weeks to gather enough money to get the Sechelt golf course back from the District of Sechelt.
"We opposed the request and that's why there was the appearance before the judge on Friday (Sept. 14)," said Sechelt Mayor John Henderson, noting the deadline was supposed to be Sept. 15. "It's our view that SG&C has had sufficient time to meet the conditions that the judge requested. The request that SG&C made was for a two-week extension and the court granted them only one week. Also I'm advised that SG&C has to pay our costs for the hearing on Friday."
Those hearing costs will total $2,500 on top of the $125,000 SG&CC must pay into an interest-bearing account in order to have the golf course returned. The new total must be paid by today (Sept. 21).
The District of Sechelt took over control of the golf course in January saying SG&CC owed a total of $191,332 in unpaid lease fees. The District also raised concerns about the ability of SG&CC to continue to operate the course, saying they had been advised creditors were calling.
At the time Henderson said the District had to take over operations to protect the golf course as a District of Sechelt asset.
SG&CC filed a lawsuit against the District for the move and in July a judge ruled the District was lawful in their takeover, but that the amount owing in lease fees was incorrect. The judge also ruled SG&CC should be given another opportunity to operate the golf course.
On July 24, Justice Patrice Abrioux granted SG&CC relief from forfeiture on conditions that included getting out of a commitment with CC Real Estate Mortgage and paying $125,000 into an interest-bearing account. SG&CC originally had until Sept. 15 to meet the conditions.
Controlling shareholder of SG&CC Brian Hall said he was not able to accumulate the funds in time, but said he will make the new deadline of Sept. 21.
"It will be done. Very simple," he said.
When asked how Hall would come up with the money he would only say that, "we are using our own resources."
